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Widespread natural catastrophe apprehended in Rajshahi region
Sarker Samira Jannat
A widespread natural catastrophe is apprehended along the river Padma since the natural flow of water of the 'once mighty' river has been blocked completely in many places creating miles long dune and charlands.
The situation along sixty kilometres long and five kilometres wide river bed starting from Bidirpur under Godagari thana of Rajshahi district to Hardinge Bridge at Paksey under Ishurdi thana in Pabna district is very vulnerable. Except several pockets, there is no water any where in these vast areas.
Such severe situation has been created at and along the regions of river Padma at the down stream, due to unilateral withdrawal of water through the Farakka Barrage, people claim. Experts on water resources expressed their deep concern over the prevailing dry situation of the river Padma and feared, if there was no sufficient rainfall and release of water through the Farakka Barrage by India according to Water Sharing Treaty of 1996, Rajshahi region would face a severe drought causing a serious damage of flora and fauna as well as biodiversity.
In the bed of the dried river, many permanent chars (shoal) have emerged where crops are being cultivated. Many of them have become playgrounds for young people.
There is allegation that India does not release water through the Farakka Barrage into the river Padma during dry season according to the water sharing contract.
Sadly India is diverting water flow of the river Padma through Farakka unilaterally, ignoring international law. As a result, water flow of the river Padma at the down stream has been decreasing every year. With the advent of the dry season, Padma under over one mile long Hardinge Bridge, except a very small segment, at Paksey has become dry where farmers are cultivating crops. Fishermen are passing idle time as there is no fish to catch due to extremely insufficient water at few points.
It is further alleged by the authorities of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) that the meetings of Joint River Commission is not held regularly due to reluctance of India about it. Even if there is any meeting, it does not bear any fruit. As a result of continuous decrease of water flow every year, the once mighty river Padma is turning into a desert.
Consequently, the temperature of the region has become extreme. During the summer, day temperature remain very high and hot while at nightfall the temperature drops drastically. Such fluctuation of temperature is noticed in the desert region only. The annual rainfall at the Padma basin near Rajshahi is also deceasing and the subterranean water level is also running low. As a result, almost all tube wells of the region remained inoperative and shallow tube wells of the Barind regions remain nonfunctional.
Experts say that the water flow of river Padma near Rajshahi has been very low. As a result, the environment of this region may face a catastrophe. If such situation continues, the environmental balance of this region will be destroyed, they affirmed.
http://www.thebangladeshtoday.com/back page.htm#back page -01
Sarker Samira Jannat
A widespread natural catastrophe is apprehended along the river Padma since the natural flow of water of the 'once mighty' river has been blocked completely in many places creating miles long dune and charlands.
The situation along sixty kilometres long and five kilometres wide river bed starting from Bidirpur under Godagari thana of Rajshahi district to Hardinge Bridge at Paksey under Ishurdi thana in Pabna district is very vulnerable. Except several pockets, there is no water any where in these vast areas.
Such severe situation has been created at and along the regions of river Padma at the down stream, due to unilateral withdrawal of water through the Farakka Barrage, people claim. Experts on water resources expressed their deep concern over the prevailing dry situation of the river Padma and feared, if there was no sufficient rainfall and release of water through the Farakka Barrage by India according to Water Sharing Treaty of 1996, Rajshahi region would face a severe drought causing a serious damage of flora and fauna as well as biodiversity.
In the bed of the dried river, many permanent chars (shoal) have emerged where crops are being cultivated. Many of them have become playgrounds for young people.
There is allegation that India does not release water through the Farakka Barrage into the river Padma during dry season according to the water sharing contract.
Sadly India is diverting water flow of the river Padma through Farakka unilaterally, ignoring international law. As a result, water flow of the river Padma at the down stream has been decreasing every year. With the advent of the dry season, Padma under over one mile long Hardinge Bridge, except a very small segment, at Paksey has become dry where farmers are cultivating crops. Fishermen are passing idle time as there is no fish to catch due to extremely insufficient water at few points.
It is further alleged by the authorities of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) that the meetings of Joint River Commission is not held regularly due to reluctance of India about it. Even if there is any meeting, it does not bear any fruit. As a result of continuous decrease of water flow every year, the once mighty river Padma is turning into a desert.
Consequently, the temperature of the region has become extreme. During the summer, day temperature remain very high and hot while at nightfall the temperature drops drastically. Such fluctuation of temperature is noticed in the desert region only. The annual rainfall at the Padma basin near Rajshahi is also deceasing and the subterranean water level is also running low. As a result, almost all tube wells of the region remained inoperative and shallow tube wells of the Barind regions remain nonfunctional.
Experts say that the water flow of river Padma near Rajshahi has been very low. As a result, the environment of this region may face a catastrophe. If such situation continues, the environmental balance of this region will be destroyed, they affirmed.
http://www.thebangladeshtoday.com/back page.htm#back page -01
